ICC T20 World Cup 2026: 300 hopes up in smoke as USA rattle India in powerplay

The defending T20 champions, India, were given a crushing reality check during their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the United States of America, with the associate nation delivering what could be deemed a rather shocking start to their campaign.

20 World Cup 2026, IND vs USA: Live Updates | Scorecard

Coming into this fixture, many perceived that India would walk in and dominate, as they have in bilateral games played before. The broadcasters had been hyping up the prospect of India reaching the magical 300-run mark, almost dismissing USA as just another associate team that would be swept aside. But the fearless intent was brought to a crashing halt as India were reduced to 46/4 in the batting powerplay at the famed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai—a venue deemed a batting paradise where India had previously scored their highest T20 total.

Who could blame the pre-match optimism, really, considering the way India had been playing? They haven't lost a single series since the previous T20 World Cup and, by all means, have looked unbeatable, scoring 200+ totals with such ease.

The pre-match graphics even flashed "300 ALERT!" across screens, such was the confidence in India's batting prowess. But India's luck might have finally run out—no pun intended—with the batting unit being completely outdone by the American squad on home soil.

Monank Patel's Bold Statement

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, the USA made a statement of intent when captain Monank Patel opted to field, showing confidence in chasing down whatever India would muster up. But no one could have anticipated the USA putting up such a performance.

Right from the get-go, the Indian batters were under the pump. Ishan Kishan appeared under pressure with Saurabh Netravalkar getting the ball to nip back into the left-hander. Cramping Kishan for room, the wicketkeeper-batter who had been in hot form looked like a completely different person.

India remained in this precarious situation despite the USA having dropped two catches during the powerplay. One can only imagine what the scoreline would have been if the USA had held onto those chances.

Van Schalkwyk Masterclass

Shadley van Schalkwyk, the South Africa-origin medium pacer, left the Wankhede Stadium in shock. Getting rid of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube in the final over of the powerplay was a sight to behold. It just goes to show that no matter how good you may be, things can change in the blink of an eye.

The pitch report by broadcaster and former England cricketer Nick Knight had deemed it one where runs would be galore. Yet it turned out to be the complete opposite. The track was two-paced with some movement for the seamers and the ball turning considerably for the spinners, particularly with the flighted delivery.

Where Is the Fearlessness?

During the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav had emphasised how the fearless approach India has been known for under Gautam Gambhir's coaching is something they wanted to maintain. But it turned out to be the complete opposite. The Indian batters seemed flustered when they realised it was a two-paced track, and all that fearless approach went out the window.

"We used to play bilaterals and ICC tournaments in different ways. But now, whether it's the Asia Cup, an ICC event, or a bilateral series, we play the same way," Yadav had said. "That's why when we went to the ICC event in 2024, it didn't feel so different—because we were playing that kind of cricket the whole year."

The gulf between words and execution was evident as India struggled to adapt, raising serious questions about their tournament preparations heading into the crucial matches ahead.

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